In a significant development, a group of individuals, including Bangladeshi nationals and Myanmar Defence Force members, are set to return home via naval transport. According to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), administration, and police sources, the returnees will embark on their journey from Rakhine State's Sittwe prison on Wednesday (April 24) and Thursday (April 25).

The returnees, comprising 285 members of the Myanmar Defence Force who sought refuge in Bangladesh amidst the nation's civil unrest, will be transported back aboard the Myanmar Naval Ship Chin Dwin, as confirmed by the Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon.

While the specifics of their return have been disclosed, no direct statements have been issued to the media regarding the process by involved parties.

Upon arrival in Bangladesh's territory, Bangladeshi nationals among the returnees—173 in total, with varying regional origins—will be handed over to the relevant authorities, according to embassy sources. Notably, among the Bangladeshi nationals, 129 hail from Cox’s Bazar, while others represent various regions including Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachari, Noakhali, Narayanganj, Chattogram, Rajbari, Narsingdi, and Nilphamari.

Conversely, Myanmar nationals seeking repatriation include 24 individuals on April 19, 64 on April 16, 14 on April 14, and 3 on March 30, in addition to 177 Border Guard Police (BGP) and army personnel. This marks a continuation of previous waves of repatriation efforts, where a total of 330 individuals sought shelter in Bangladesh in February before being returned to Myanmar.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is poised to release comprehensive details regarding the repatriation process following the completion of procedures for both Bangladeshi nationals returning home and Myanmar nationals being repatriated, according to official sources.

BOB Post